A series of trilateral partnerships in the Caspian-Caucuses is reinventing geo-politics and unleashing economic potential in a region eager to outrun its Cold War-era shadows and escape new peripheral tensions. Azerbaijan and Turkey are working with Georgia, Iran, and Turkmenistan through targeted multilateral projects to strengthen regional security, economic and energy development, and improve diplomatic relations between Eurasian states. The trilateral format also helps deepen ties between other Caspian Basin and South Caucasus countries, promote Eurasian-European energy collaboration through these states, and balance external pressures from a newly assertive Russia. The national security of these countries is closely related to energy production as well as balancing relations with external actors.

* Richard Weitz is Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Political-Military Analysis at Hudson Institute.